Alleged robber flees Vernon store empty handed, possibly due to language barrier

VERNON – A language barrier may have foiled an attempted armed robbery in Vernon earlier this week.

Around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, Vernon RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Lakeview Market on 32 Avenue, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says in a media release.

“RCMP investigators learned that a lone male entered the store and showed the clerk a firearm. The frightened clerk who speaks little English immediately walked away from the male who then fled the store without obtaining anything,” Moskaluk says.

Police believe the language barrier may have been what led to the man leaving without getting what he wanted.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect, described as Caucasian, with brown hair, an average build, and roughly six feet tall.

Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or via Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.